The best New World Riesling?

I don’t often write articles based on a single bottle but I just felt that I had to this evening. The Fish has been away all week and she requested steak on the BBQ on her return; so off I went to Athens Ginger Pig, off Marylebone High Street, to pick up the finest cote de boeuf.

The obvious choice to go with the beef was a red so I chose a red wine that would be delicious served chilled in this hot weather… And as we’re off to the Loire in a couple of weeks, a Saumur-Champigny was an ideal choice. But what to drink while we waited for the coals to ready themselves? I love Riesling and I especially love Clare Valley Riesling. The best I have tasted to date was the Grosset Polish Hill 2009… Until tonight… When I tried the 2012. Many would argue its too early to get the full benefit of this great wine… But I disagree!

Grosset Polish Hill Riesling 2012, Clare Valley, South Australia (The Wine Society £25.00)
I think this could be the best new world Riesling available. It’s certainly the best I’ve tried. I was worried that it may be too early to drink but that was a load of tripe! There is so much fruit on the nose and palate its almost endless. So much lemon and lime and then comes the passion fruit and slight hint of mango. Add in the delightfully flint-like minerality, beautiful acidity and an almost endless finish and you’ve got the perfect New World Riesling (that will improve as those wonderful petrol flavours develop). Wow, just wow. I need a case to try a bottle every year… But I think I might struggle to keep the appointments! 95 points

And lets not forget about the delicious Loire red:

Clos des Cordeliers Saumur-Chamigny Prestige 2009, Loire (The Wine Society £14.95)
Very purple colour and an aroma reminiscent of a bowl if ripe cherries with maybe a hint of leather and liquorice. Served chilled it has a crunchy, fruity texture and the aromas come through in the flavour along with some precise raspberry; Like chomping through a bowl of sweet cherries with a few stray raspberries thrown in, a lovely grip on tannin and a herby thyme and bay finish. Great stuff – a super summer red. 91 points